Seabather's Eruption Topics

Seabather's Eruption - Topic Overview

What is seabather's eruption?

Seabather's eruption
is a rash that occurs when a swimmer is stung by marine life larvae. The
condition has many names, including sea lice, pika-pika, sea poisoning, sea
critters, and ocean itch.

What causes seabather's eruption?

Two types of
marine life that generally cause this rash are:

Thimble jellyfish (Linuche unguiculata). These are found seasonally in the water off the Florida
coast and across the Caribbean. The jellyfish breed in the Caribbean
throughout the summer, peaking in May. The larvae are barely visible, appearing
like a speck of finely ground pepper.

Sea anemone (Edwardsiella lineata). These are found in the water off the
coast of Long Island, New York. The larvae are small (2 mm to 3 mm).

Other types of marine life may also cause this rash.

What are the symptoms of seabather's eruption?

Shortly after being stung, a swimmer may complain of skin discomfort. The
rash develops in a few minutes to 12 hours after swimming. The rash consists of
raised, hard or soft bumps, or blisters of different shapes and sizes that
appear very red and may be extremely itchy. The larvae can become trapped in
the fabric of a swimsuit, under swim caps and fins, and along the cuff edges of
wet suits and T-shirts. The rash often appears in areas of the body that were
covered.